Agri chief to rice traders: Violate SRP, lose license

ABS-CBN News

Rice traders who violate the standard retail prices set by the Department of Agriculture could lose their licenses, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said Friday.

Speaking to radio DZMM, the agriculture chief said National Food Authority inspectors will go to rice traders to check if they are following the SRPs set by government.

"First, they will take pictures and then there will be a stern written warning. In the next offense, there will be a cancellation of license," he said.

NFA managers also risk being relieved of duty if fail to implement SRPs in their jurisdiction.

Current SRPs are set at P38 to P39/kilo for regular milled rice, P40-P41/kilo for well milled rice, and P42-P44/kilo for whole grain head rice. The SRPs do not cover special rice varieties such as Cordillera rice, malagkit rice and black rice.